Book Title: Jains Through Time
Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

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Page 162
________________ The Jains through Time 163 into their work, because one of the lines horror of the storm, nor the battering of the from Gurudev's poetry - jo karna so achchha banyan tree deterred the divine souls from karna - 'whatever you do in your life, do their mission, and next day Surya, the sun good', was echoing in their minds. god, saw them making their way back along the same storm-littered path. One day these pious women were returning to Rajgir from the site of Veerayatan as the The plans for Veerayatan were progressing sun was setting. Suddenly the sky darkened gradually. Construction work was about to and stormy gusts of wind began to blow, begin, but lack of water was proving an Gurumata Shri Sumati Kunwarji continued obstacle. Preparations were made to sink to advance, instilling courage and fortitude wells despite the surveyors' claim that there in the others. But the worst was yet to was no water anywhere on the site. How come. Thoroughly drenched and buffeted could this land that had so much faith from all sides by the storm, the sadhvis had invested in it, run dry? Sadhvishri was reached the great banyan tree that stands at unperturbed. She turned to the Vaibhargiri, the entrance to Rajgir, when they were bathed in radiant light, then bending down, blinded by a dazzling light. A thunderbolt she touched the land - it was to the north tearing through the sky had chosen just that west of the range - and with utter certainty moment to crash into the tree. By bearing said, “The well will be right here." Taking the full brunt of the attack and ensuring that her word as a command, the devoted the sadhvis were unhurt, the tree seemed to disciples and volunteers Shri Uttam be saying, "It is yours to perform much Chandbhai Panchamiya, Shri Keshavbhai holier deeds than I, therefore may you live Khanderiya and Veerayatan's manager, blissfully for a hundred years!" With its Madan Singhji Nahar performed the ritual branches extended as if in benediction, the for the formal worship of the land. The great tree, that had sheltered many workers immediately started digging a well generations, sank into the earth. Neither the at this consecrated spot. They had only dug Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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